memri
January 30, 2025 Special Announcements No. 1599

Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Weekly: January 25-February 1, 2025

January 30, 2025
Special Announcements No. 1599

The following are some of this week's reports from the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Project, which translates and analyzes content from sources monitored around the clock, among them the most important jihadi websites and blogs. (To view these reports in full, you must be a paying member of the JTTM; for membership information, send an email to jttmsubs@memri.org with "Membership" in the subject line.)

Note to media and government: For a full copy of these reports, send an email with the title of the report in the subject line to media@memri.org. Please include your name, title, and organization in your email.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Syrian Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa Delivers 'Victory Speech,' Outlines Syria's Future Roadmap, Announces Dissolution Of Ba'ath Party, Armed Factions Into New 'Syrian Army'; Military Operations Command Declares Al-Sharaa President Of Syria During Transition

On January 29, 2025, Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa aka Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani, described as the "leader of the new Syrian administration," delivered an address titled "Victory Speech."

 

EXCLUSIVE: Syria-Based Jihadi Clerics Celebrate Al-Sharaa's Appointment As First Sunni President Of Syria In 54 Years, Canada-Based Pro-Al-Qaeda Cleric Declares Self-Appointed Dictator's Presidency A 'Disaster'

On January 29, 2025, a "Convention to Announce the Victory of the Syrian Revolution" was held in Damascus, where Ahmed Al-Sharaa aka Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani, who had served as leader of jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), was announced interim president of Syria.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Media Outlet Affiliated With Michigan-Based Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Preacher Condemns Syrian Leader Al-Sharaa For Congratulating Trump On Inauguration, Accuses The New Syrian Administration Of Spreading 'Polytheism'

On January 20, 2025, a group of the Syrian militant factions linked to Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) released an English-language "Statement by the New Administration of Syria Congratulating President Donald J. Trump on his Inauguration."

 

EXCLUSIVE: Independent Syrian Outlet Report: Before Their Evacuation, Iran-Backed Militias Coordinated With Islamic State (ISIS), Likely To Create Chaos In Syria, Left It Weapons And Ammunition

On January 25, 2025, a Syrian human rights group reported that prior to the withdrawal of Iran-backed militias from Syria, their operatives met with Islamic State (ISIS) fighters, and possibly coordinated a plan to "create chaos in different regions of Syria."

 

EXCLUSIVE: Telegram Channels Supporting Iran-Backed Militias Report Iraqi Refugee Who Burned Quran Killed In Sweden; Syrian Jihadi Cleric: His Death A Lesson For Those Who Disrespect Islam

On January 29, 2025, several Telegram channels supporting Iran-backed militias in Iraq shared a report by the Swedish media claiming that Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, who publicly burned copies of the Quran on several occasions, was shot to death in his apartment in the Swedish city of Södertälje, near Stockholm.

 

EXCLUSIVE: Dari-Language Media Report Identifies Six Taliban Leaders With Close Ties To IRGC

A Dari-language report titled "Six Pro-Iran Commanders Surrounding The Taliban Leader" in the Afghanistan International media outlet has revealed the identities of six senior Taliban leaders who have close ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) and surround the Afghan Taliban leader, influencing his day-to-day decisions.

 

Syrian Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa Meets With Palestinian, Russian Delegations; Discussions With Russia Address Need To Restore 'Trust' With Syrians, Admit 'Past Mistakes'

On January 28, 2025, a group of the Syrian militant factions, led by Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), reported on Telegram that HTS leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa aka Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani, described as the "leader of the new Syrian administration," and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the HTS-led Syrian transitional government, met with a Palestinian delegation headed by the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority and its Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 

'Formidable In Might – Islamic Resistance Front In Syria' Claims Downing Israeli Drone In First Operation Against Israeli Forces In Southern Syria

On January 24, 2025, an Islamic Resistance front in Syria issued a statement claiming its first operation against Israeli forces in southern Syria, the alleged downing of an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) drone.

 

Syrian State-Run News Agency Publishes Photos Asserting New Administration’s Control Over Territorial Waters In Tartus

On January 22, 2025, state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) released a photoset showing a Syrian Coast Guard patrol in Syria's territorial waters near Arwad island, in the Tartus governorate.

 

Syrian Foreign, Defense Ministers Meet With UN Officials, Call For Implementation Of 1974 UNDOF Mandate, Immediate Withdrawal Of Israeli Forces

On January 29, 2025, the Foreign Ministry of the new Syrian administration, linked to jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), reported that the Foreign Minister and the Defense Minister met with a United Nations Under-Secretary-General and a Major-General.

 

Unconfirmed Report: Body Of Kidnapped Syrian Female Professor Found, Her Fingers Cut Off

On January 25, 2025, the Homs Security Department denied that a woman was found murdered, asserting that the search for her was still ongoing.

 

Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Supporters Document Preaching Campaigns In Which Hundreds Of Syrian Women Don Veil; Tell Secularists 'Die In Your Rage'

In recent days, supporters of Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) have reported and documented preaching campaigns run by women in various parts of Syria which had been under the control of the Assad regime, in which garb was distributed to hundreds of women who committed to begin wearing it.

 

In Video, Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS)-Linked Ministry Of Defense Special Forces Graduates Chant Antisemitic Slogans Threatening Israel: 'Khaybar, Khaybar, O Jews! The Army Of Muhammad Will Return!'

On January 22, 2025, a Syrian media outlet shared a 12-second video, showing armed men in uniform marching in the city of Deir Al-Zour, in a military parade.

 

Anti-HTS Syrian Resistance Calls On HTS Fighters To Defect: 'The Door Is Open For Those Who Want To Escape'

A Syrian resistance group opposed to Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) called on HTS fighters to defect from the organization.

 

Pro-Hamas Outlet Solicits Donations From Egyptians Via Mobile's Cash Wallet

On January 29, 2025, a Telegram outlet supporting Hamas published a post soliciting donations from Egypt.

 

Senior Ansar Allah Movement Officials: U.S. Terror Designation Does Not Serve Stability In Region; Promote Campaign On X Under Hashtag #USMotherOfTerrorism

On January 22, 2025, the White House released an order signed by newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump setting in motion a process by which Yemen's Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement will be considered for designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

 

Ansar Allah Movement (Houthi) Political Bureau Denounces U.S. Terror Designation: The U.S. Is Stained With 'Bloody Terrorism' By Serving 'Zionist' Agenda; Reiterates 'Unwavering' Solidarity With Palestinians

On January 22, 2025, newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump set in motion a process by which Yemen's Ansar Allah Movement (the Houthis) will be considered for designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

 

Iran-Backed Ansar Allah Movement (Houthis) Condemns Trump's 'Clean Out' Gaza Plan, Accuses U.S. Of Attempting To 'Eliminate Palestinian Identity,' Calls For A 'Just' Resolution

On January 25, 2025, President Donald Trump stated that he had spoken to the king of Jordan to urge that country to admit more Palestinians, suggesting that Gazans should leave the Gaza Strip to "clean out" the enclave.

 

Yemen's Ansar Allah Movement (Houthis) Holds Military Exercise Simulating Kidnapping Israeli Soldier, Shooting At Target With President Trump's Image

On January 25, 2025, Yemen's Iran-backed Ansar Allah Movement (Houthis) published a nine-minute video, as well as photos, documenting a live-fire military exercise held in Sa'dah province.

 

Yemeni Newspaper: Houthi Leaders Have Left Sanaa Due To 'Political And Military Changes In The Arena'

On January 23, 2025, a Yemeni newspaper published a short report claiming that "prominent leaders" in Yemen's Iran-backed Ansar Allah Movement (the Houthis) had left the capital Sanaa due to "political and military changes in the arena."

 

Following Clashes Between IDF And South Lebanese, Hizbullah Declares 'People Of Resistance' Don't Surrender; Pro-Hizbullah Daily: 'Days Of Liberation Have Begun'

January 26, 2025, marked the end of the 60-day ceasefire agreed to on November 27, 2024, by Israel and Hizbullah in Lebanon.

 

Hizbullah: Incomplete Israeli Withdrawal From South Lebanon Is 'Flagrant Breach Of Agreement;' Lebanon Must Employ 'Every Means' And 'Rescue Land From Claws Of Occupation'

On November 27, 2024, Lebanese Hizbullah concluded a ceasefire with Israel.

 

Saudi Outlet Cites Hizbullah Elite Fighter: 'We Misjudged Israel's Strength'; 'It Is Difficult To Rebuild, But Hizbullah Will Be Active Again In Southern Region'

On January 21, 2025, the online portal of a Saudi-owned network published a report containing remarks by a Hizbullah officer admitting, in a small forum of Hizbullah members, that the organization was surprised at the level of intelligence Israel gathered, enabling it to destroy most facilities and tunnels Hizbullah had built since 2006 preparing for war against Israel.

 

Hizbullah Leader Na'im Qassem: Al-Aqsa Flood Achieved Its Goal; Israel Failed To Destroy Hamas And Hizbullah; Israeli Withdrawal From Lebanon Should Not Be Delayed; Resistance Will Act At Time And In Manner It Sees Fit

On January 27, 2025, at the conclusion of the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah in Lebanon that was signed on November 27, 2024, and following an announcement by the White House on the January 26 about the extension of the ceasefire until February 18, 2025, Secretary-General of Lebanese Hizbullah, sheikh Na'im Qassem, delivered an approximately 50-minute televised speech.

 

New Iraqi 'Islamic Resistance' Group Vows To Begin Military Operations In Syria To Protect Shi'ites, Alawites

On January 25, 2025, a new Iraqi militia belonging to the "Islamic Resistance," issued a brief statement declaring it would soon begin military operations against the new Syrian administration linked to jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), in retaliation for atrocities it allegedly perpetrated against members of the country's Alawite and Shi'ite minorities.

 

Islamic State (ISIS) Weekly Editorial Warns Muslims In Sudan To Mistrust Warring Parties, Urges 'Supporters Of Mujahideen' To Form 'A Nucleus Of Jihad,' Strive To Recruit And Prepare For 'Long-Lasting Jihad'

On January 23, 2025, the Islamic State (ISIS) released issue 479 of its weekly newsletter, Al-Naba'.

 

Islamic State (ISIS) Critic Claims ISIS Command's Planned Attack On Shi'ite Shrine In Damascus Indicates 'Terrible Recklessness', 'Pursuit Of Media Victories'

On January 22, 2025, an anti-Islamic State (ISIS) media outlet, published a post claiming that the arrest of ISIS-linked individuals accused of planning an attack on Al-Sayyidah Zaynab, a Shi'ite shrine and pilgrimage site in Damascus, Syria, proves the "recklessness" of the group command, which continues to chase "victories" for the media.

 

Islamic State (ISIS) Iraq Province Claims Killing, Wounding 13 Soldiers In 'Explosives Ambush' North Of Baghdad

On January 24, 2025, the Islamic State's (ISIS) official news agency issued a statement claiming that ISIS operatives dealt a "harsh security blow" to Iraqi forces in a "well-executed operation" in the Al-Taremiyah district north of Baghdad.

 

Islamic State (ISIS) Weekly Newsletter Releases Exclusive Photos Documenting Operations In Somalia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, DRC, And Syria

On January 23, 2025, the Islamic State (ISIS) released issue 479 of its weekly newsletter, Al-Naba'.

 

Islamic State (ISIS)-Linked Telegram Accounts Promote New Bot To Recruit Disaffected Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Members To ISIS

On January 25, 2025, a platform that publishes and spreads official Islamic State (ISIS) material, promoted a new Telegram bot tasked with "guiding" and "communicating" with disaffected members of Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) who wish to join ISIS.

 

Islamic State (ISIS) Supporters Launch German-Language Media Outlets To 'Incite' Muslims In The West

On January 19, 2025, a user of an Islamic State (ISIS)-operated server launched a German-language channel on the platform.

 

In Two Days, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Claims Killing, Wounding About 60 Government Forces In Suicide Bombing, Firefight In Nigeria's Northern Borno State

On January 27 and 28, 2025, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed killing and wounding some 60 Nigerian soldiers and pro-government militiamen in the country's northeastern Borno state.

 

New Islamic State (ISIS) Initiative Reaches Out To Foreign Fighters Linked To Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), Stresses They Do Not Need To Travel

A new initiative affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) has been continuing its outreach to members of the new Syrian administration linked to rival jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), seeking to convince them to defect and join ISIS.

 

Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Poster Claims HTS Leader 'Sold' Foreign Fighters In Syria To 'Turks And Europeans'

A Telegram bot supportive of the Islamic State (ISIS) released a poster arguing that foreign fighters in Syria were betrayed by the leader of Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS).

 

Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Outlet Releases Step-By-Step Guide To Manufacture Explosive Materials

A pro-Islamic State (ISIS) media outlet released an English-language audio recording detailing the process of making TNT for use in a "vest bomb."

 

Al-Qaeda Affiliate GSIM Claims Several Attacks On Burkinabe Army, Malian Army, And Russia's Wagner Group In Mali

On January 26, 2025, the media arm of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in the African Sahel issued several statements claiming attacks against two armies and Russia's Wagner private military company (PMC).

 

Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabab Claims Attack On U.S.-Trained Special Forces In Southern Somalia, 18 Casualties In 'Fierce Clashes' In Central Somalia

On January 27, 2025, the media arm of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab), issued a statement claiming that Al-Shabab operatives detonated an explosion targeting a military convoy that had departed from an air base in Somalia's Lower Shabelle province.

 

Al-Qaeda Affiliate GSIM Publishes Photos Of Its Da'wah Activities In Mali's Koulikoro

On January 29, 2025, the media arm of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in the African Sahel released a photoset documenting the group's da'wah (inviting to Islam) activities in Koulikoro area, Mali.

 

Al-Qaeda In Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Video Celebrates LA Wildfires, Declares Them Divine Punishment For U.S. Sins Against Allah And Crimes Against World's Muslims

On January 28, 2025, the official media arm of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), released an approximately two-and-a-half-minute video by its affiliated media outlet, titled "America and the Painful Punishment."

 

Al-Qaeda's Syrian Affiliate Hurras Al-Din Announces Dissolution By Order Of Al-Qaeda Central Command, Urges Syrian Leadership To Implement Shari'a

On January 28, 2025, a two-page statement was released in the name of Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate titled "And whoever wages jihad, only does so for their own good. Surely Allah is not in need of His creation" (Quran 29:6), announcing the group's dissolution at the order of Al-Qaeda's Central Command.

 

Canada-Based Pro-Al-Qaeda Cleric Scoffs At Al-Sharaa's 'Legacy' As Polytheism, A Submissive, Secular, 'Sick' State Led By 'The Obeyed Master'

Canada-based pro-Al-Qaeda cleric continues to voice criticism of Syria's largest jihadi group, Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), and its leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, aka Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani, for abandoning jihad as the path for liberation, and for adopting man-made laws dictated by the West.

 

Afghan Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid Addresses Students At Kabul Madrassa: 'If We Had Made Progress In Scientific Terms, Would Our Muslim Brothers And Sisters In Gaza Be So Oppressed?'

In a speech at a madrassa in Kabul, Afghan Taliban spokesman said that the Muslims' lack of education, notably that of the Palestinians in Gaza, is the cause of their miseries in modern times.

 

Afghan Wife Of Iraqi Al-Qaeda Member Abd Al-Hadi Al-Iraqi Held In Guantanamo Calls For His Transfer Not To Iraq But To Afghanistan Or Another Country

On January 14, 2025, a pro-Afghan Taliban YouTube channel released a Dari-language interview of the Afghan wife of an Iraqi member of Al-Qaeda who is in the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

 

Former Afghan Mujahideen Commander Gulbuddin Hekmatyar: 'This Is Certainly A Great Victory For Palestinians And A Shameful Defeat For Israel And Its Supporters'

In a Pashtu-language article, former mujahideen commander and leader of an Afghan political party, described the Gaza ceasefire as a victory for Palestinians and a surrender by Israel, noting also that Hamas has not only remained active and strong but had also executed effective attacks in recent days.

 

Hizb-ut-Tahrir Commemorates Fall Of Ottoman Caliphate: 'The Latest Revolution In The Blessed Land Of Syria Has Been Caught In The Trap Of The Betrayal Of The American Puppet, Erdoğan'

On January 22, 2025, Hizb-ut-Tahrir Afghanistan published a Pashtu-language article commemorating the fall of the Ottoman Caliphate, an event which it says has exposed Muslims worldwide to "massacre, occupation, and plunder of the unbeliever West, the Barbaric Jews, and America."

Share this Report: